Archaeological Collection in Munich: Information and tips about the museum

Why the Bavarian State Archaeological Collection is worth a visit:

After around eight years of construction, the museum is shining again shine in new splendor: During the general renovation, the existing buildings have been remodeld and a new subterranean exhibition room has been built.

What to see? The Bavarian State Archaeological Collection is divided into five departments: Prehistoric, Roman Period, Middle Ages, the Mediterranean, Numismatics. Starting with the appearance of the first humans and ending with Charlemagne, a wide variety of exhibitions give insights into the diversity of early human existence. The exhibition highlights include figures from the Paleolithic and New Stone Age, antique grave furnishings, as well as Celtic coin treasures and works of Celtic art.

What's special? Digital experiences, sound installations and hands-on stations invite museum guests young and old to playfully explore with all their senses. Changing special exhibitions in cooperation with other museums are planned from autumn 2024 and focus on individual eras or special art genres.

New exhibition concept: Immerse yourself in the world of archaeology

The "new" museum offers two tours that give you an insight into the world of archaeology. Both consist of five themed rooms, each of which can be accessed independently of the other without barriers.

• Tour 1 takes the museum guest into the archaeological terrain, a world full of adventure: Here the museum gives an insight into the Bavarian excavation landscape and the work of the archaeologists. Connections between humans and nature become clear and the audience can discover archeology as a modern, interdisciplinary science. Socio-economic connections and social developments throughout history become clear.
• Tour 2, on the other hand, impresses with its abundance: a variety of exhibits from different eras illustrate the extensive holdings of the collection-centered museum and take the museum guest into a walk-in archive, so to speak. Highlight objects from the different departments of the house (prehistory and early history, Middle Ages/modern times, Roman times, Mediterranean and Near East as well as numismatics) are presented, and the stories behind them are staged and presented in a variety of ways.

More than 15,000 objects were brought into the new permanent exhibition. Some of them will be exchanged in the future in a rotating system so that everyone has the opportunity to see new objects again and again.

Guided tours, events and children's programme

• A media guide will take you to the 25 most important and beautiful highlights. Just bring your cell phone and headphones and the QR code at the entrance. For all those who love Bavarian, there is also a delicacy tour with the well-known cabaret artist and comedian Luise Kinseher.

• Overview tour: The Munich adult education center leads tours of the museum every Sunday at 2 p.m. Bookings are made directly via the MVHS website (in German).

• Special tours with lots of background information take place on several dates throughout the year and offer a lively exchange between experts and museum guests. Dates and registration (in German) >>

• Tours for groups of 8 to 20 people can be booked on 089 12599691-0 (mornings) or buchung@archaeologie.bayern.

• For children and young people, the State Archaeological Collection, in cooperation with the Museum Education Center (MPZ), offers kindergarten and school programs, workshop programs, group tours and children's birthday parties. Detailed information and prices can be found on this website (in German).

Café, restaurant and museum shop

In addition to the museum café, there is an in-house rooftop bar with a view of the English Garden: You can find the opening times of the SOL here on the website.

There is also a small museum shop in the ticket office area. In addition to the in-house publications, there is literature, children's toys, stationery, jewelry, gift ideas and humorous items.

Entrance fees for the State Archaeological Collection

• Adults €7.00 (€1.00 on Sundays)
• Reduced €5.00 (€1.00 on Sundays)
• Annual pass €45.00
• Children, young people (under 18): free

Different prices may apply for special exhibitions.

Architecture: The newly designed museum building

Originally designed by the architects Helmut von Werz, Johann-Christoph Ottow, Erhard Bachmann and Michel Marx in the 1970s, the building with the characteristic Corten steel facade was getting old and had to be closed in 2016. After around eight years of construction, the museum reopened its doors on April 17th 2024: As part of the general renovation, not only were the existing buildings converted, but a new underground special exhibition room was also built. The renovation concept takes up the architectural concept of the existing exhibition cubes and takes it further. The entrance area was also expanded. The renowned Spanish architectural firm Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos, currently known in Munich for other projects such as the Bogenhausener Tor, Hotel Königshof and the Optineo in the Werksviertel, was entrusted with the design and execution.

Excavation and cultural treasures: Other exhibition venues

Grünwald Castle: Branch Museum in Munich

• The Grünwald Castle Museum provides exciting insights into the world of damsels and knights. In addition to the permanent exhibition "Castles in Bavaria," where you can explore the history of Grünwald Castle, the medieval building also offers a branch museum of the Bavarian State Archaeological Collection with many fascinating temporary exhibitions. There are also various special promotions and events throughout the year.

Project "Archaeology Munich": Finds from the Marienhof

• So far, more than 250 archaeological excavations have taken place in Munich's historic center. What happens to the finds afterwards? Inspired by the large excavations at Marienhof in 2011/2012, numerous state and city agencies formed the "Archaeology Munich" project. Archaeologists, botanists, zoologists, anthropologists and historians have been researching everyday life, the environment and the cityscape of Munich since the Middle Ages.
• Discover Munich's history while strolling: In four pop-up exhibitions, the finds have been exhibited in the historic center under the slogan "Archaeology for Everyone" - very close to where they were dug out of the ground. A new exhibition is currently being planned.

The Bavarian State Archaeological Collection: About the institution in general

With its newly renovated main building in Munich and its eight branch museums and depots spread across Bavaria, the State Archaeological Collection fulfills the function of the central state museum for archeology in Bavaria, with 200,000-300,000 visitors across Bavaria every year. It collects, stores and indexes excavation finds from Bavaria and forms the central forum for the public presentation of archeology in Bavaria. Thanks to its national and international activities, it is one of the largest and central European collections. The public communication task includes the presentation of Bavaria's archaeologically accessible history, but also the presentation of the social relevance of modern archeology, which today allows far-reaching statements to be made about the relationship between people and the environment.